Senior Life Solutions raising awareness during National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

Submitted to The Chief

Saturday

Sep 8, 2018 at 11:02 AMSep 8, 2018 at 11:03 AM

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Not only is the Dallas County Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program working to raise awareness during the month of September, but they work hard to engage and educate the community on the importance of emotional well-being every day. Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you, or someone you know, is thinking of suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

The Senior Life Solutions program staff is trained in the use of standardized, evidence-based tools for screening patients at risk of suicide. In addition, the staff assists the patient to create a plan to prevent future suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts.

Senior Life Solutions program is an intensive outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of older adults suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression often related to aging.

Karen Hildreth, Program Director of Senior Life Solutions said, “Suicide is a serious problem in the elderly population. Although the elderly (age 65 and older) comprise about 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 18 percent of all suicides. The most common cause for elderly suicide, as for all suicides, is untreated depression. “

For more information, call the Dallas County Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program at 515-465-7580.